Gear Review - Karrimor Barbuda D30 Mens Sandals

Day 72- Dawn over Duncansby Head, John o'Groats

Karrimor Barbuda D30 Mens Sandals

Cost- £50.00 (now reduced to £24.99)

Miles covered- 500 (over the course of a 

1200 mile hike)

Weight- 470g

 

"The Karrimor Barbuda D30 Mens Sandals have been designed for walking holidays thanks to a waterproof Wolverine leather upper and a D30 cushioning system for shock absorbency and support. These Karrimor sandals sport a moulded footbed with cushioning underfoot, and are complete with a Phylon midsole and Vibram outer grip."

> Mens sandals
> Three touch and close straps
> Waterproof Wolverine leather
> D30 cushioning system
> Supportive footbed
> Phylon midsole
> Vibram outsole
> Leather/Textile upper, Synthetic inner and sole

 

Day 31- Woods approaching Swinscoe

 

   I bought these for the evenings so that my feet would have a chance to breathe after a day of hiking boots. When I discovered that the waterproof hiking boots I wore were more like a sponge for any passing clump of moisture I had little choice but to wear the sandals on the trail. Best discovery of the walk. Ten miles in the sandals, ten miles in the boots and my feet didn't ache half as much. From then on I wore them for vast parts of the day on top of the evening strolls around town. They also rendered my gaters useless as they were much more affective in moor land: I would wear them through the water before changing back into my boots on drier ground. They took less than half an hour to dry and were easily washed by any convinient stream of puddle. 

Day 62- Dornoch, day off paddling in the sea

  The sandals themselves are sturdy things, and still going strong. The straps were put under heavy strain, sometimes supporting my considerable weight as I edged down steep hills. The souls are on the thinner side, but some of this is to do with weight. If they had been heavier the sandals would have weighed too much to carry on top of my boots and other equipment. Not sure about the advertised D30 cushioning system, they didn't give the support my hiking boots provided but how could they at half the weight and a third of the price? All in all they were perfect for the job, a very well made and affordable pair of sandals, I can confidently recommend for men and women. 

Day 72- John o'Groats- the end! 1200 miles walked from Land's End and the sandals still going strong

Day 28- Wild Camping in Brocton Woods

 

Gear Review- EasyAcc Power Pack

West Highland Way, Scotland

  I contacted easyacc in the hope that they would support me by providing an external battery for my 1200 mile charity walk from Land's End to John o'Groats. I planned to navigate by using GPS and ViewRanger maps, all of which are on my phone. Without power I would be lost in a matter of minutes. I was also using my phone to take photos and update my blog on a daily basis- the phone has a eight hour battery life when using GPS. I planned to wild camp at least a third of the time I needed a reliable power source that would last two to three days.
  They provided me with EasyAcc 2nd Gen. Classic 15600mAh Power Bank-

Material	PC+ABS
Dimension	159*63*24 (mm)
Output	DC 5V/2.1A (max)
Input	DC 5V/2A
Weight	339 (g)
Battery cell	Lithium-ion
Power	15600 (mAh)
Product Certification	CE FCC RoHS

 

  My EasyAcc battery was used consistently over 72 days hiking. It was exposed to the outdoors and dropped a number of times on tarmac, mud and damp dank marsh lands and never faultered. It charges my Sony Xperia z2 about three and a half times. This number of charges did not alter through out the walk even with constant usage. It has two plugs so you can charge a few things at once. It doesn't allow you to charge the battery from devises while it is itself charging and be warned it does take around five to six hours to charge the power pack. Best is to leave it overnight. For those who have old fashioned Ipod classics- it wont charge it. Its worth noting, though, that a lot of modern chargers are too powerful to charge the old ipods and its not a problem unique to this device. I had to stop and buy myself a really cheap charger at Asda which did the job brilliantly. 

Wild camping along the Shropshire Way

  While a little heavy for hiking it would be perfect for everyday life, and even hiking it makes every ounce count. I remained charged the entire way. I went three of four days once without seeing a plug socket, and when I knew a campsite wasn't far off I had enough power to watch several episodes of Buffy in my tent. Moreover, its a black brick that looks like an internet port, whose going to steal it? I left it in toilets, on shelves and in garages as it charged over night without a problem. It fits in my pocket while I walk so I can charge my devices on the move and is tough enough to take the occasional pump when I forgot and pulled my phone out too fast. Its a brilliant piece of kit.

Day 69- Dornoch to Brora 19.5 miles

Just out of Dornoch, heading north towards Loch Fleet

 Quite a pleasant day, structured in a manner I'd never tried before. I set off late at 9 and walked the twelve or so miles to Golspie by 1:30. There I stopped to watch the Wimbledon final in a lovely family run pud. I left again at 17:40 with another six or so miles to walk to Brora Caravan site club on the northern side of Brora. It was nine when I reached camp and my body couldn't work out if it had had an easy or hard days walking. 

Loch Fleet starting to appear up ahead

  The lane skirting along the coast from Dornoch is quite pretty, straight north it cuts out the curves of the coast, bypassing Embo and heading straight to Loch Fleet. The Loch is a beautiful side, mist hanging low of the water casting everything into monotone. Another kind passerby offered me a list and once again I refused explaining I couldn't without wrecking all my efforts the last two and a half months.
  Once I'd rejoined the A9 crossing The Mount my lovely lane walking became a thing of the past and the dreaded road stretch began. The guide books had described it with such creative horror that I'd expected high roads with motorway traffic rushing past 60miles an hour. On the most part the roads were clear and if I walked towards the traffic I could watch their approach and wear head phones without endangering myself. Moreover the drivers were all passing me with extreme care. I began to sing along to 'Show me the Way to go Home' and followed up by an acapella performance on the side of the road, quite happy with the world.

Loch Fleet

  The A9 stretches on but a side verge took me away from the worst of the traffic allowing me to walk with ease. I switched sides when the corners demanded it, mostly I put my head down and pushed on grinning whenever a sign past with the ever dwindling number of places and miles till the end point. I was dreading injury more and more now, something which would stop me from completing something I'd doubted I'd manage.
   Federer and Djokovic played a hell of a match, the whole pub supporting Federer even though he'd
knocked Murray out. Even when the place officially shut they didn't have the heart to push me out till the end of the match which I was very grateful for. Federer lost but fighting and with his usual style, poor Djokovic won largely unappreciated by everyone present. Seems awfully unfair. I didn't like him when he first entered the scene, probably because of him beating Murray far too often but Federer has the same nasty habit and I think he's great.

Dunrobin Castle and Gardens

  The last stretch goes off road for a little while, twisting past Dunrobin Castle and along the coast.
Dunrobin Castle is home of Clan Surtherlandruly, an impressive building with the grandeur of European castles and gardens of the English gentry. It's also the largest and the most northerly great house in Scotland with the oldest continuous inhabitants. They were known for shipping many of the land owners around them to America, seizing their lands. Who says nastiness doesn't pay in the long run?
  From the castle I walked along the coast  enjoying great views back towards its imposing presence, high up behind it on the Ben Bhraggie hill the100 foot statue of the first Duke of Sutherland staring down at his lands. It made me think of Terry Pratchet's Jingo, the statue of Tacticus with 'I can see Your House From Up Here' written underneath as both a threat and boast to the people he conquered

Along the coast looking back to Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle with the statue tiny on the hill above it

  When I reached camp reception was closed and following the signs instructions I set pitch and got on with preparing for bed. The field was largely empty so I was a little put out when late comers decided to pitch right next to my tent and made a tone of noise late into the night. What do they think camping is? A social event? I'm going to become such a crabby old woman at this rate.

Day 62- Gairlochy Lock to Fort Augustus 23.5 Miles

Clouds hung low above Loch Lochy just after leaving camp

  After yesterday's low I woke determined to set get today's stretch underway early and get some distance done no matter how hard I'm struggling. There is another wild campsite just a few miles before Fort Augustus which would be my aim today, 20 or so miles ahead. For the first section I'd be

Clouds clearing over the loch, view from Bunarkaig road

Road through Bunarkaig along Loch Lochy

skirting Loch Lochy, never on the actual shore but dipping up and down through the logging plantations stretching up it's banks. The track is mostly dirt till the end of the loch, there the water narrows near Laggan and path becomes more solid. Then you have the length Loch Oich to walk, this time along a flat and handsome bike track, then another stint along a canal like path all the way to camp. No navigation needed, its another day where I can tune out and let my feet do the work.
  Midges were rampant when I woke. I scrambled from my tent and quickly packed up, using the picnic bench to organize my things. As I packed the last of it two canoes were carried into the clearing. Four guys had been camping in hammocks in the woods. They were canoeing the entire Great Glen Way, wild camping along the way. I exchanged a few pleasantries before leaving them lowering their boats and things back into the water.
  From camp the path stays on the left of the loch, rising above a houses and along a road through Bunarkaig, and Clunes. Clunes Forest is a nice sheltered walk, the ground covered in moss creating quite intense shades of green. I passed more people along this stretch, two girls making coffee and drying their things, a couple of bikers as well as a runner and her friendly dog. No other long distance hikers.
  Laggan Locks seemed to have a campsite beside it, although its not on the map, and I eyed their toilet facilities. As I crossed over the the southern side of the loch I saw the canoeists from earlier today, they seemed surprised to see me again and I felt myself become a little more energized. I had someone to beat.

  Great Glen Water park was the first chance for a toilet break and bike to eat. I popped in and ordered food before going straight to the toilets. Its only a slip of a restaurant with paper napkins covering lousy tables but it did the trick. When I rejoined the Way it went along a very straight clean bike trail. Having a sinking bout I played a lot of Beatles and sung along happily enough. The weather was fine and I was making good progress.

View from the north coast of Loch Lochy

   Cullochy was a lovely section, once again squeezed between a river and the canal. Although I'd walked 20 miles I still felt relatively fresh. I spotter the canoeists one last time stretching their backs and legs looking pretty much done it. No surprise, I think I could row for about ten minutes in the gym before stopping.

On the top corner of Loch Oich

  Kyltra Lock was lovely, the buildings covered with handing baskets and Loch machinery enclosed in retro style shed. One thing it didn't have was toilets or any real sheltered spot I could squat. I stopped and considered it but when the rain lashed down chose to continue on the last 3 miles to Fort Augustus. The last hour wasn't at all bad just wet. When the rain finally came it poured it down. At Cumberland's Loch Ness Campsite I sat in a shelter for a while waiting for the rain to lessen, when it seemed to get even heavier I gave up and leaving my bag found a pub to dry off in. When the break in the cloud finally came I ran back to pitch. It only took me a few minutes and leaving it wondered into town in search of supplies. I hanged out in the campsite pub that night but wasn't very impressed with the place, stupidly expensive and not worth the trouble, some locals soon came in and proceeded to be so loud that I no longer felt comfortable. I talked to the bikers nearby but soon walked back to camp and washing pulled myself into the sleeping bag.

Cumberland's Loch Ness Campsite

     

  

Day 60 - Kinlochmore to Glen Nevis 13 miles

Loch  Leven, view from my camp  in the sun

  With only 13 miles to walk today I relaxed into it, trudging out of the valley up into the Mamores. The climb is ruthless and long, especially straight from camp. The ex cop passed me pretty quick out the door and I waved him on with no attempt to keep up. The more I embraced the people around the less I felt compelled to prove my worth as a walker. Although crowded there was no judgement or animosity between anyone, just openness and curiosity.  Now that it's the last day I don't feel the relief I expected, in fact I was a little fed up that everyone got to go home except for me.

Kinlochmore falling down into the valley as I climb

Mamore Hills

  Once you've scrambled, trudged and crawled your way up to the top the ground levels out a little.The land rises around the path so there's no real sense of height, the river Allt na Lairige Moire flowing a little way to the left. Near the Sheepfold a couple was packing up from their camp, attempting to try their tent on the old remains of the farm house. A mile or so later and its back to climbing. The sun was high and heat intensifying by the minute. The hoped for shelter was ruined by another stretch of intensive logging. Midges joining in the fun strove me forward until I encountered my ex-police man sat having a break with a middle-aged Asian woman. I joined them and elected to let the ex cop continue alone and leave me with the lady, walking the rest of the day with her while discussing everything from her job as a school councilor in America to her walking the Way of St James in Spain. Our pace seemed to match and it was a lovely end to the West Highland Way.

West Highland Way traveling along an old Rovers track through the Mamores.

  Ben Nevis' lower slopes came into view and we both expressed our disappointment at its unimpressive mass. Around the corner the higher slopes became visible taking away all our scorn. It would really be a climb and a half up it's slopes. Today would have been a perfect day for it, sunny and calm. Tomorrow it was predicted to rain which is considerably less helpful. Its not the prettiest mountain, not snowy peaks which I'd expected. Having just finished listening to 'Touching the Void' I'd worked myself up to expecting a miniature Everest glaciers and all.

Path winding towards Ben Nevis

   Parting from my companion I dropped off the trail down to Glen Nevis Campsite at the base of the mountain. It is a huge campsite, spread over several fields. I dropped into the campsite and having been granted signal, a rare treat, I was able to show them the email allowing me a free pitch. As I was two days early they kindly changed the dates on my booking and delivered another treat, for the first tome in two months, a resupply package actually reached me. I took everything to the higher fields and pitched. It was barely half two and I had the entire day ahead of me. I spent the afternoon hand washing my clothes, and enjoying the midget free sun, obviously it was too hot for them.

Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis Campsite, path between Restaurant and Camp

  The young man from last night joined me for a few drinks in the Ben Nevis Campsite Bar which was lovely, although I left soon after to sort my own dinner out back in camp. Dehydrated scrambled eggs with ham is as nasty and bland as it sounds like but with the small sachets of salt from the camp shop and the left over bagels it was far from awful. The campsite filled up with cars and weekend campers, someone played a radio loudly while others set up BBQs. The couple next to me were testing out the hiking poles they'd just bought from the shop, the man explaining loudly that it should be the height of your hip and the woman nodding earnestly. Smiling I felt like patting my own poles in affection. I'd owned my diamond purple poles four years and couldn't have asked for more from them.  

Day 58 - Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy 18.5 Miles

  There are some advantages to been surrounded solely by hikers, every one else get up early and

there is no need to fear waking your neighbor. I was, however, much more practiced at packing up and rejoined the trail alone, for a time at any case. The path is wide and stony, flat until you reach Sheep Creep and cross over the A82. You dip under the road and begin a rather rough climb up through Breadalbane, skirting the ridge over Crianlarich and heading north west towards Auchtertyre. On this section I was accompanied by an ex police officer. Without a heavy backpack however I couldn't keep up and elected to have a break, walking the rest of the way to Tyndrum alone.
  A lot of today was a little dull, quite 

Three temporary companions on the road to Bridge of Orchy

  Tyndrum is yet another town whose shops and cafes are designed to cater for the masses of hikers which travel through, not very character filled but efficient. I had a very tasty soup and roll in a canteen style cafe before wondering through the outdoor shops in search for stove gas and snacks. Most people stopped here for the night so the next section was much clearer, the slopes gentle with the landscape opening up around me. The path follows a railway track for several miles, stunning slopes on either side all the way to Bridge of Orchy.  I began to talk to three guys on this road, a rather fun bunch who were overtaking me.

Wild camp over the hills around Bridge of Orchy

View from the tents flap

    Unsure where I wanted to camp I decided to stop before the town, the slopes seeming to have a series of plateaus with little creeks flowing down the slopes. It wouldn't take much of a climb to be out of sight with a stunning view and running water. I trudged up thirty or so meters before settling for a place where I could be pretty sure no one bellow would see. I pitched and suddenly felt on top of the world, the tent elevated high enough to keep away the midges.
After soaking my feet in the stream I simply sat and enjoyed the peace a solitude, eating the dry packed risotto and my daily supply of vitamin C soluble tablets.
  Wild camping remains daunting to me, but they also remain the
best nights on the trail when I felt the most free and strong. The soil here was nearly as wet as last night but the moss covered the worst and my tent, this time, was placed with a lot more care. My EasyAcc battery charged my phone so I was ready for the next day, and sitting back I read my book with the flap open and the Scottish Highlands at my feet.

Day 57- Milarrochy to Inverarnan 20 Miles

  Hoping to stay ahead of the hoards I left early, leaving the camp a little before eight and marching the kilometer or so along the road before ducking back into the wooded coastal path. Mist was heavy

across the Loch creating a wonderfully aery view. A head of me there was already another hiker within five minutes, but as he seemed to walking in zigzags I overtook him quite quickly. A forty something year old struggling with a heavy looking pack on, what I suspect, was his first attempt at a long distance walk. We talked a little while, seemed friendly enough but as he spoke little English conversation was difficult. I eventually bid him goodbye and walked on. The first slope was hard on still asleep legs, small foot steps easing the progress a little. The ground after was much easier, dipping and rising as an open dirt path. Probably struggled more than I remember but the route after lunch from Inversnaid makes it look like an easy stroll.

Loch Lomond in the early morning haze

  Unfortunately I'd camped in the first site along Loch Lomond and by the time I past the last one three miles later, Sallochy Forest campsite, the path was full of people again. Sallochy looked like a great campsite, little pods in the woods along the loch just like in Australia. No car parks and nothing but hikers everywhere you look. The sheer volume of people staggered me and I wasn't sure I liked it one bit, that said the group of men sat having breakfast weren't the worst companions I could wish for.
  Along the way four military type men overtook me carrying small packs, wearing camouflage trousers. They said hello friendly enough but they pace was just too fast. A little later I overtook a mass of walkers in a organized group holiday, muttering 'excuse me' and trying to squeeze through small gaps I slowly past. Near the front of the group I began to talk with a woman, a farmer on a holiday who'd never walked more than eight miles at once. I enjoyed her company but struggled to keep to the groups pace and eventually left them behind.

  At Inversnaid hotel I stopped for something to eat, the inside full of other walkers, a room to the left of the entrance nearly full of varied shaped backpacks. I had yet another bowl of fries along with a cup of tea before leaving. While collecting my pack I exchanged a few words with the soldier boys, discovering they were planning to walk the 100 miles of the West Highland Way in four days in preparation of a march abroad. Over the next hour we past each other a few times. I admired them, and in particular their leaders calmed assured manner. 
  From Inversnaid to Inverarnan the path never rose above two meters from the loch but its a hell of a work out full of ankle breaking descents and paths so narrow you have to climb around to get through with a backpack. Progress was horribly slow and not the slightest bit enjoyable. Very little of my memory of today included the loch, mostly I recall clutching on to trees and praying I didn't break my neck. It did strike me that this was indication enough that I should never try climbing mountains, struggling as I did two meters up.

Last stretch before Inverarnan

  Talked to yet another hiker, American on an extended bachelorette holiday before getting married in the Carrabian- some of those details I might be remembering wrong so don't quote me. When they stopped to stretch I carried on. The last few hills once the loch was finally set behind me were hard. With so many people I also felt unable to stop or relax at my usual slug pace. After 20 miles I was ready to collapse.
  Beinglass Farm Campsite finally came to my rescue and I trudged into camp at 4:45 eager to see  the tennis score and have a cold drink. There was a little awkwardness with the camping as it had been nearly three months since I emailed them but I was eventually allowed in without paying- since it normally cost £8 I was grateful. I pitched my tent without looking at the grass properly. Although the sun was blazing the grass was horribly water logged, water pooling around my feet every time I stood still and the patch around my tent already looking muddy after a few minutes of me walking around. I considered moving but it was too much effort and higher up only looked slightly better.

Beinglass Farm Campsite- before the majority of people arrived.

  Seeing Murray had won I got some supplies and cooked myself a meal, talking to two men from Sweedon about Federer and another couple from Poland about their plans. I was getting more comfortable with the large amount of people, in the last day I'd met more walkers than the entirety of England. Along the trail I was told by the two Americans with the Australian photographer (who I'd past yesterday and yet again today) that they'd encountered two Israelis. That evening when I heard Hebrew spoken on the table beside me I pounced on them. We talked for something like an hour. A lovely coupled traveling around Scotland, a first year teacher with his wife who was in her last year of studying a PhD in Jerusalem.
  The campsite although full quietened quite early. That said I struggled to get to sleep again, horribly aware how damp it. There was also a rather unpleasant smell I couldn't put my finger on, I'd checked both my boots and found nothing so settled for ignoring it. I did miss been the only tent in camp, there were close to thirty parked in this field alone. Tomorrow I hope to wild camp and get away from it all a while.